A self-taught musician, primarily a keyboard player, he was educated at Jarrow Grammar School, South Tyneside, and was a founding member of the Tyneside group The Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, then renamed The Animals. His playing on their international hit "House of the Rising Sun" and other tracks was a key element in the Animals' success. His arrangement of "House of the Rising Sun," a traditional folk song, has become more recognisable than previous incarnations.
He left the band in May 1965, to form the highly successful Alan Price Set. In the same year, he appeared in the film Dont Look Back, which followed Bob Dylan on tour. In 1967, he enjoyed singles success with the Randy Newman song "Simon Smith And His Amazing Dancing Bear" and "The House That Jack Built", following it up in 1968 with the jazzy "Don't Stop The Carnival". A partnership with Georgie Fame resulted in a Top 20 single in 1971, "Rosetta", and an album "Fame and Price, Price and Fame Together", as well as a regular slot in one series of "The Two Ronnies" on BBC television.
In 1973, he wrote the music for the Lindsay Anderson film O Lucky Man!; he performs on screen in the film and appears in walk-on parts as himself.
Price produced the autobiographical album Between Today and Yesterday in 1974, a track from which, "Jarrow Song", returned him to the singles chart.
He participated in two attempts to reunite The Animals in 1977 and 1983. He also made several recordings with his friend, Georgie Fame.
He acted in Alfie Darling, a less than stellar sequel to the film Alfie, in the course of which he became romantically involved with his co-star, Jill Townsend. He has written music for stage plays and films, including The Whales of August.
For the past 20 years Alan Price has continued to regularly tour the UK, both on his own, and sometimes in 60's revues with groups such as Manfred Mann, The Searchers and The Hollies.
Old Love
Alan Price Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'm lying in bed
There's too much confusion
Going around through my head
And it's making me so angry
To know that the flame still burns
Why can't I get over?
Old love, leave me alone
Old love, go on home
Just go home
I can see your face, yes
But I know that it ain't real
It's just an illusion
Caused by how I used to feel
And it's making me so angry
I know now that the flame will always burn
It will always burn
I can't get, gonna get over?
And when will I ever learn, ever learn?
Old love, old love
leave me alone
Old love, old love
Just go on home
Old love
Just go on home, go on home
Old love
Old love
Old love
Old love
Old love
Old love
Old love
The lyrics of Alan Price's "Old Love" express the artist's struggle to move on from a past love that still haunts him. The first verse sets the scene for the narrative by describing the physical and emotional toll that the lingering memories of his old love have taken on him. The confusion in his head contrasts with the tangible presence of his love's body that he feels when he's lying in bed, leading to his anger and frustration at not being able to let go of the past.
The second verse reveals that he knows on some level that the images of his love that he sees are not real, but are instead an illusion based on how he used to feel. However, this realization doesn't make it any easier to move on, as he knows that the flame will always burn in some way. The repetition of the phrase "Old love, leave me alone" throughout the song serves as a plea for his past love to stop tormenting him and for him to find peace and closure.
The lyrics of "Old Love" touch on a universal human experience that many people can relate to - the challenge of moving on from a past love. The song's stark emotions and simple yet powerful lyrics have made it a favorite of many listeners over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
I can feel your body
I can physically sense the presence of my former lover even when they're not here.
When I'm lying in bed
I often think of my former lover when I'm alone and vulnerable, like when I'm in bed.
There's too much confusion
I'm feeling overwhelmed and lost because I don't know how to deal with the emotions left over from our relationship.
Going around through my head
These thoughts and emotions are constantly circulating in my mind, making it hard to focus on anything else.
And it's making me so angry
I'm frustrated because I can't seem to shake off the feelings of love and attachment I have for my ex-lover.
To know that the flame still burns
Despite our separation, I still have strong feelings of love for my ex-lover, which are hard to ignore.
Why can't I get over?
I'm struggling to come to terms with the end of our relationship and find it difficult to move on.
And when will I ever learn?
I keep repeating the same mistakes in relationships, and I haven't yet learned how to break the cycle.
Old love, leave me alone
I want my ex-lover to stay away and stop stirring up my emotions.
Old love, go on home
I want my ex-lover to return to their own life and let me move on with mine.
I can see your face, yes
I can clearly picture my ex-lover's face in my mind.
But I know that it ain't real
I'm aware that the memories and mental images I have of my ex-lover aren't necessarily accurate or true representations.
It's just an illusion
What I'm experiencing isn't real, it's just a product of my own mind and imagination.
Caused by how I used to feel
My current emotions are influenced by the strong feelings of love and attachment I had for my ex-lover during our relationship.
I know now that the flame will always burn
I've come to accept that the love I had for my ex-lover won't just disappear, but will always be a part of me.
I can't get, gonna get over?
I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to fully move on and forget about my ex-lover.
And when will I ever learn, ever learn?
I'm still struggling to understand why my relationships keep going wrong and how I can break the pattern.
Just go on home, go on home
I want my ex-lover to return to their own life and allow me to do the same.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robert Cray, Eric Clapton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind